Myth and Identity in the Martial Arts

Alexus McLeod is professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Indiana University.

Introduction: Creating the Dragon Chapter 1. "I Want to Create a New Chamber"- Historical Foundations and Development of the Martial Arts Chapter 2. "A Finger Pointing to the Moon"-Dance, Ritual, and the Arts of War Chapter 3. "One Should Consider Himself as Dead"-Martial Arts and Deconstruction of the Self Chapter 4. "What's Your Style?"-National, Ethnic, and Cultural Identity in the Martial Arts Chapter 5. "Honestly Expressing Yourself"- Bruce Lee and the Idea of Expression of the "True Self" in the Martial Arts Chapter 6. "Who's The Master?"-Martial Arts Ideologies of Empowerment Chapter 7. "No Mercy"-Contemporary Martial Arts Myth of "Real" Fighting, Control, and Potency Conclusion: Commitment and the Martial Arts as Way of Life